As of September 2017, 15 federal judges have been impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Impeachment Process for Federal Judges
The impeachment of federal judges is a solemn and rare constitutional process, serving as a critical mechanism for accountability within the federal judiciary. This procedure involves two distinct stages:
- Impeachment by the House of Representatives: The process begins when the House of Representatives votes to impeach an official, which is akin to a grand jury indictment. A simple majority vote in the House is required to impeach.
- Trial and Conviction by the Senate: Following impeachment by the House, the case moves to the Senate, which conducts a trial. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is necessary for conviction and removal from office.
Impeachment Statistics for Federal Judges
Historically, a limited number of federal judges have faced these proceedings. According to data available as of September 2017:
- Total Impeached: 15 federal judges have been impeached by the House of Representatives.
- Total Convicted: Out of those impeached, 8 judges have been convicted by the Senate and removed from office.
- Resignations: An additional 3 judges resigned from their positions before the completion of impeachment proceedings against them.
The table below summarizes these numbers:
| Outcome | Number of Judges (as of Sep 2017) |
|---|---|
| Impeached by the House | 15 |
| Convicted by the Senate | 8 |
| Resigned before impeachment proceedings | 3 |
For more detailed information on the judicial impeachment process, you can refer to resources provided by the U.S. Courts.
